A few weeks ago, when Royce and TJ first arrived in Utah, we started up a popular local hike, Waterfall Canyon. It is a steep and rocky climb in places. The altitude here is higher than where the students came from, just arriving from the East Coast. It is not an easy hike, but certainly not impossible. We didn’t make it to the top that day and that is perfectly fine. We learned a lot.
Sundays have become the day of hiking and dining out. Yesterday, we started up Waterfall Canyon again with staff members and their families. The weather was beautiful, slightly overcast and not too hot, perfect hiking conditions. Everyone came armed with water bottles and proper shoes to get the job done.
On our first attempt, we learned that perhaps we were rushing, trying to get to the top as fast as we could. This time we slowed down, allowed ourselves rest and water breaks. Took time to talk to each other and encourage each other on our way to the top. The waterfall is fed from high above the steep canyon walls and, when we reached the top, there was still water trickling down that rocky canyon face as we near autumn.
It was beautiful!!! The students whooped it up, echoing their voices against the walls and basking in their successful hike, using what had happened the first time to learn how to accomplish our goal on our next attempt. Things are like that sometimes. We were even lucky enough to be serenaded by another hiker with her ukulele!
On our way back down, the journey was much easier. We saw a tarantula!! Some of us thought it was awesome, our staff member, Lena, snapped a picture and ran! She does not love spiders. Everyone else saw a rattlesnake that had most likely been victim to mountain bike tires just off the trail. What interesting things you see when you take your time and enjoy the journey as much as the destination!
After our hike, a few raindrops fell in Utah. We have not had ran in months. We sat together and had pizza and salad, talking about our successful trek up a mountainside. We all recognized that, in pacing ourselves and remaining dedicated to our goal, we experienced success as a team. Now, where shall we hike next Sunday?!